Thank You ...

What a GREAT session we had yesterday! I am really liking the buzz that seems to come whenever the Young Writers get together.  They are all getting more confident; some are happy to read their own work, others are happy to throw in ideas. That's what it's all about guys!  It is their group; not mine.  I just facilitate it!  It was lovely to welcome back our seven regulars and to say hello to new member Holly.  We have a list of names for our bear and by the next session, with some outside help , her - or his - name will be announced.  Because so many ideas for names were being thrown into the mix, I did not even get the chance to write down whose ideas were whose - so I will have to come up with something for all of the members for helping us to choose.  And I will, have no fear of that!

We carried on with poetry yesterday.  I am seeing some truly amazing work here.  Some of their poems have a depth and insight that defies their tender years and it kinda makes me think how easy it is to underestimate children.  They are little people who think and work things out for themselves and - because they tend to tell it how it actually is rather than how they think it should be (which is what we tend to do as grown-ups, sad as that may sound), their work really strikes a chord.  And with out exhibition in October, I am seriously on the look out for some good work to show.  Oh - and talking about the exhibition - I am so sorry I didn't get round to doing the letters in time for yesterday's session.  I promise they will be done by the next one.

We looked at poems that don't rhyme and poems that tell a story.  I read a couple out and mentioned some others, then I gave out session sheets and reminded them about what we'd covered with story-writing at the beginning - how to get and develop ideas, bearing in mind characters and character names etc - and I told the members they could just as easily apply all that to writing a  poem that tells a story.  So the assignment for next session - which falls on 12th July - is to try to tell a story using either one poem , or a series of shorter ones.

Red certificates were handed out to Alessandro, Namoshi and Amber - a Red Band Two for Alessandro because he earned the first one at the previous group - so well done to all of them.  Fatima will receiver hers next time.  And Phoebe received her second membership certificate, so well done to her as well.

Finally, I want to thank all you mums and dads for your continued support, the library for their input and, of course, your talented children for helping Addiscombe Young Writers to succeed.

Good writing everyone.  Se you all on the 12th.

Next Session ..

Looking forward to seeing you at tomorrow's session and to finding out our bear's name!  Have certificates to award and work to return tomorrow (and I will try not to forget this time!), so see you there 9.30 - 10.30, Ashburton Library....

Name Our Teddy ...

The session held at the library on 7th June went really well.  We continued looking at poetry - limericks, this time - and spirits seemed high.  It was nice to welcome back Phoebe - who was a member of the original group - and it was reassuring to see how easily she slipped back into Young Writer mode.

At the start of the session, I introduced everyone to our new mascot - a very special little bear bearing the group's name on her tee-shirt - and I threw out a challenge to find her a name.  Something to do with either the group or writing would be suitable (and thank you, boys, for suggesting Jilly - that was very sweet) - so please help your young scribes to put on their thinking caps and come up with something original.  There will be a special certificate for the winner.

The assignment was to write a poem that doesn't rhyme, just for a little more challenge, and to try and have them in for the next session on June 28th.  Congratulations to Mateus and Sophia who were presented with the red certificates last session. I will be presenting a couple more of these next time so well done to everyone for working so hard.  Don't forget to keep the certificates safe - if possible put them up on display, so that the Young Writers can see them and feel proud of their achievements.

As mentioned, the next session will be on 28th June - same time, same place.  I should have all the letters available by then re the exhibition in October.

In the meantime, do get in touch if you have any feedback, comments or suggestions.  See you soon.

See You Saturday...

Back from a smashing week in picturesque Devon which breathes inspiration at every turn!  Getting ready now for the next session which is this Saturday, same time, same place.  I have spoken to my library contacts and it looks as if our exhibition of work will run in conjunction with the Family Learning Festival that commences on 10th October.  I think it is for a week.  I just need to double check all this then I will confirm in a letter that I will provide to all the members as soon as possible.  This means that I can start planning the sessions so that we can get a good mix of  the members' work to display.  I will also produce a Permission sheet for the parents to sign which will allow me to exhibit their work.  I produced a similar sheet when we were compiling Word Magic.  So keep an eye out for those; they'll also be with you very shortly.

I have been thinking it would be really nice to display some of the childrens' work on this blog so I am inviting some feedback from you,  Would you be happy for their work to appear?  Copyright will obviously remain with the Young Writers - and it means you can show their work to friends and relatives.  I would eventually like to get a website set up for them but I have neither the time nor the money to even think about that at the moment.  If you know anyone who would be prepared to help with this please let me know.  I have tried in vain to set up several websites but I just don't have the technical know-how and have failed miserably.  Any assistance gratefully received!

I bought a mascot for the group whilst in Devon, by the way!  I will bring it with me on Saturday to show everyone.

Well that is it for now.  I have some assignments to read and some Red Certificates to prepare.  See you all Saturday - and Good Writing!